Vegan Traditional Bulgarian Banitsa

Delight in the savory layers of this Vegan Traditional Bulgarian Banitsa, a plant-based twist on a cherished classic! Featuring flaky vegan phyllo pastry wrapped around a rich, creamy filling made from crumbled tofu, unsweetened plant-based yogurt, and a touch of nutritional yeast for a cheesy depth, this recipe beautifully captures the essence of authentic Bulgarian cuisine. The addition of sparkling water ensures the Banitsa stays irresistibly light and crispy, while lemon juice and black pepper provide a subtle tang and warmth. Perfect for brunch, snacks, or a comforting main dish, this vegan Banitsa is both easy to prepare and wonderfully flavorful. Serve it warm or at room temperature for a true taste of Eastern Europe with a compassionate twist!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 12 sheets vegan phyllo pastry sheets
• 400 grams firm tofu
• 200 grams unsweetened plant-based yogurt
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 100 milliliters sparkling water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease a round or rectangular baking dish with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Step 2

In a large bowl, crumble the firm tofu with your hands or a fork until it resembles a feta-like texture.

Step 3

Add the plant-based yogurt, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, and baking soda to the tofu. Mix well until fully combined to create the filling.

Step 4

Lay one phyllo sheet on a clean surface and gently brush it with olive oil using a pastry brush. Place another sheet on top and brush it with olive oil as well.

Step 5

Spoon a few tablespoons of the tofu filling in a thin line along one of the shorter edges of the phyllo sheets.

Step 6

Starting from the edge with the filling, roll the phyllo sheets tightly into a log. Carefully place the log into the prepared baking dish, coiling it into a spiral shape along the edge.

Step 7

Repeat the process with the remaining phyllo sheets and filling, continuing to coil each log around the previous one in the dish until all the ingredients are used.

Step 8

Once the coiled Banitsa is complete, drizzle the top with sparkling water to help it stay moist and crispy during baking.

Step 9

Bake the Banitsa in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.

Step 10

Allow the Banitsa to cool for 10 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1131.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1966.3

Total Fat 98.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 11.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.3g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 4562.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 205.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.4g	0%
Total Sugars 6.4g
Protein 81.0g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 882.3mg	0%
Iron 14.2mg	0%
Potassium 1275.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.6%

Protein: 16.0%

Carbs: 40.5%